Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 8
King Vena’s Tyranny, the Sages’ Counsel, and the Birth of Niṣāda
अहो उभयत: प्राप्तं लोकस्य व्यसनं महत् । दारुण्युभयतो दीप्ते इव तस्करपालयो: ॥ ८ ॥
aho ubhayataḥ prāptaṁ lokasya vyasanaṁ mahat dāruṇy ubhayato dīpte iva taskara-pālayoḥ
Aduhai! Dari dua arah rakyat tertimpa bahaya besar—seperti semut di tengah kayu yang terbakar di kedua ujungnya; demikian pula, di satu sisi raja tak bertanggung jawab, di sisi lain para pencuri dan perampok.
FAQs
This verse describes how society can be trapped in great distress from both sides, comparing the people’s plight to being caught between a thief and royal police—highlighting the misery caused when governance becomes harsh and irreligious.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this verse while narrating the events surrounding King Vena and the resulting turmoil affecting the people.
The verse warns against systems where people feel squeezed by exploitation from multiple directions; it encourages supporting dharmic leadership, personal integrity, and community structures that protect rather than prey upon citizens.